Permit applications for construction to begin in the Summer of 2025 were submitted to the required state and federal agencies in May of 2024. Per State of MI permit requirements, the project was placed on public notice from July 17, 2024 until August 6, 2024. A virtual Public Hearing was held on Monday August 5, 2024 and comments were accepted until August 15, 2024.
The Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy issued a draft permit for the project on December 20, 2024.

The City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Whitewater are currently working on the final review and approval of an Watershed Project Plan-Environmental Assessment (WPP-EA) document with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) needed to finalize a Watershed Project Plan and release additional federal habitat restoration funds. The review and approval of the WPP-EA is the final regulatory approval needed for construction to begin.